QUESTION: Are any of the packaged foods good staples?

[Johnzilla2179]

Every time I go to a pet shop I'm always flabbergasted by the sheer amount of packaged foods for reptiles, particularly bearded dragons. Given that my Irwin is a picky eater, I've often considered getting one of these to see if she'll like them enough to eat on a more regular basis than her collard greens. My question is, are any of these actually good staples feeders?

- Zilla Omnivore Mix (http://www.amazon.com/R-Zilla-SRZ09625-Reptile-Munchies-Omnivore/dp/B00BS99J3G)

- Fluker's Freeze-Dried Grasshoppers/Crickets (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004HSQRG2/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_1?pf_rd_p=1944687742&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B0002DRJDG&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=09KNEC82Q6P0S9GYKWBX)

- Nature Zone Bearded Dragon Bites (http://www.amazon.com/Nature-Zone-SNZ54622-Bearded-24-Ounce/dp/B0006L12CI)

- Bearded Dragon Gourmet Blend (http://www.amazon.com/T-Rex-Bearded-Dragon-Gourmet-Blend/dp/B00JVRY6ZS)

- Mazuri Bearded Dragon Diet (http://www.amazon.com/Mazuri-Bearded-Dragon-Diet-oz/dp/B00OV0WLWU)

- Fluker's Buffet Blend (http://www.amazon.com/Flukers-Buffet-Bearded-Dragon-Formula/dp/B001B4SGDW)


Any information is greatly appreciated!

 

[CooperDragon]

I think a lot of that is marketing at work. In my opinion, fresh food is always best. Offer a fresh salad every day. Gutload your bugs with leftover veges and fruits and then feed them to your dragon. Using well fed live bugs and fresh veges is healthy. You know what's in it so you have control over what goes into your dragon. That's not to say that people haven't had success using the packaged foods for convenience. I just avoid them and offer the freshest, most basic foods I can.

 

[hmarie186]

The Nature Zone ones have artificial colors in them, which I find kind of horrifying for tiny kidneys.

 

[Taterbug]

The dry foods require rehydrating and I found the pellets I tried molded very quickly so I just fed them to my bugs dry. Dry food (like kibble or freeze dried insects) can contribute to dehydration. I have a jar of Repashy veggie burger that my guy seems to like, but I don't really offer it as a staple.

Have you tired other greens and veggies than collards?